A man appeared in court today charged with four burglaries, including an alleged bogus caller incident at the home of a 99-year-old woman who was later found dead.

Rose Hunter, of Stanley Grove, Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne, was offered security advice by a man allegedly posing as a police officer, only for him to steal several hundred pounds from her home.

She was discovered dead on the ground floor of her home in November 2002, a day after the incident.

Ian Campbell appeared before JPs in the city, charged with four burglaries between November 6 and December 17, 2002.

During a brief hearing, the 47-year-old, of Phoenix House, South Shields, was bailed to reappear at the same court on April 4. Reporting restrictions were not lifted.